The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) has announced the first round of nominations for the 2020 AACTA Awards and among them are a staggering 36 nominations for AFTRS alumni across television, online and feature, documentary and short film categories. Being recognised among the best Australian screen industry creatives and their achievements in the past year, over 40 alumni are nominated in 15 categories for works that showcase the talent of more than 80 alumni.
This year, AFTRS graduates feature in nine of the feature film categories. Shannon Murphy’s (Graduate Diploma in Directing, 2013) Venice Film Festival-winning, critically acclaimed feature debut, Babyteeth, has received 12 nods across all-but-two feature film categories, six of those going to AFTRS alumni. Directed by Murphy and produced by alumna Alex White (Graduate Certificate in Producing, 2011), the feature is up for Best Film and Best Direction, and has earned nominations for Andrew Commis (Master of Arts (Film & Television) Cinematography, 1998) for Best Cinematography, Amanda Brown (Graduate Certificate in Screen Composition, 1999) for Best Original Score, and Sherree Philips (Graduate Diploma in Production Design, 2012) for Best Production Design. The film has also attracted nominations for its lead and supporting performances, editing, sound and screenplay.
Competing for Best Feature Film against Babyteeth are John Sheedy’s H is for Happiness, written by AWGIE-nominated alumna Lisa Hoppe (Master of Screen Arts, 2012; Graduate Diploma in Producing and Screen Business, 2011), as is I Am Woman, directed and produced by Unjoo Moon (Bachelor of Arts: Film and Television Producing, 1991) and lensed by Dion Beebe (Bachelor of Arts (Film and Television) Cinematography, 1989). H is For Happiness has also earned cinematographer Bonnie Elliot (Master of Arts: Film, Television and Digital Media Cinematography, 2006) a nomination for Best Cinematography, while Tara Webb (Graduate Diploma in Sound, 2011) is in the running to claim Best Sound for her work on I Am Woman.
In contention for the Best Editing prize are alumni Andy Canny (Master of Arts (Film & Television) Editing, 2000) for his work editing Leigh Whannell’s The Invisible Man, as well as Undertow’s Julie-Anne De Ruvo (Master of Arts (Film & Television) Editing, 2001) and Nick Meyers (Specialist Extension Certificate Editing, 1991). Alex Holmes (Master of Arts (Film and Television) Production Design, 2003) has also been recognised for his work on The Invisible Man, vying for Best Production Design while Best Costume Design nominations include Olivia Simpson (Graduate Certificate in Costume Design, 2013) for Paul Ireland’s Measure for Measure.
Alumnus Kriv Stenders (Bachelor of Arts (Film & Television) Camera, 1988) has two titles in the running for Best Documentary: Brock: Over the Top and Slim & I, produced by Aline Jacques (Master of Arts (Film & Television) Producing, 1998). They are competing in the category against Steven McGregor’s (Master of Arts (Film & Television) Directing, 2001) Looky Looky Here Comes Cooky produced by Anna Grieve (Bachelor of Arts (Film & Television) Production Management, 1985).
Four alumni works are vying for Best Indie Film, including the fresh-to-Netflix Hot Mess, written and directed by Lucy Coleman (Graduate Certificate in Screenwriting Fundamentals, 2014) and produced by Sheila Jayadev (Graduate Certificate: Producing, 2011) and AFTRS’ Head of Producing Lyn Norfor (Graduate Diploma: Screen Business, 2010), A Lion Returns, written and directed by Serhat Caradee (Graduate Diploma of Arts (Film & Television) Directing, 1999), Standing Up for Sunny executive produced by Michael Pontin (Graduate Diploma in Producing & Screen Business, 2011), and Unsound directed by Ian Watson (Graduate Certificate Screen: Creative Producing, 2018) and produced by Tsu Shan Chambers (Graduate Certificate Screen: Creative Producing, 2018).
This year, AFTRS alumni continue their domination in television with 10 nominations across three categories. Competing for Best Drama Series are The Heights, co-created by Warren Clarke (Graduate Diploma in Screenwriting, 2012) and executive produced by Debbie Lee (Specialist Extension Certificate Sound, 1990), Mystery Road produced by Greer Simpkin (Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Creative Industries), 2010), and Wentworth, executive produced by Jo Porter (Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Creative Industries), 2008).
Alumni works make up three out of the five nominated works vying for Best Telefeature or Miniseries, with nods going out to Hungry Ghosts, executive produced by Debbie Lee and directed by Shawn Seet (AFTRS Certificate, 1992), Operation Buffalo by writer/director/producer Peter Duncan (Bachelor of Arts (Film & Television) Scriptwriting, 1993) and Stateless produced by Sheila Jayadev (Graduate Certificate: Producing, 2011).
AFTRS also stands out in the Best Children’s Program category, accounting for four of the six nominated works, including Vanna Morosini’s (Advanced Diploma in Screenwriting: Series Television, 2016) Are You Tougher Than Your Ancestors?, Julie Kalceff’s (Master of Arts (Film and Television) Scriptwriting, 2002) First Day, Tony Thorne’s Master of Arts (Film & Television) Digital Media, 1997) Little J & Big Cuz, co-produced by Alicia Rackett (Graduate Diploma: Screen Business, 2010), and Mustangs FC by co-creator/producer Amanda Higgs (AFTRS Certificate, 1990) and executive producer Debbie Lee (Specialist Extension Certificate Sound, 1990).
The Best Online Drama or Comedy category has recognised Ding Dong I’m Gay, by director/producer Joshua Longhurst (Advanced Diploma in Producing: Story, Audience, Finance, 2016) and creator/writer/producer Tim Spencer (Graduate Certificate in Screenwriting Fundamentals, 2014); Patricia Moore by director/writer Blake Fraser (Graduate Diploma in Directing (Fiction & Non-Fiction), 2011); and Girl, Interpreted by director/writer Grace Feng Fang Juan (Talent Camp, 2017/18) and producer Nikki Tran (Talent Camp, 2017/18).
After sweeping the festival circuit, Karen Pearlman’s (Master of Arts (Film & Television) Editing – 2000) I Want to Make a Film About Women, scored by Caitlin Yeo (Graduate Diploma in Screen Composition, 2002) and showcasing production design by Valentina Iastrebova (Diploma in Screen Design, 2016), is up for Best Short Film, competing against Melissa Anastasi’s (Graduate Diploma in Directing, 2012; Graduate Certificate in Directing, 2011) Chlorine, and Chicken by director/writer Alana Hicks (Talent Camp NSW, 2017; National, 2018) and producer Sleena Wilson (Graduate Certificate Screen: Creative Producing, 2018).
Other works nominated that showcase the work of alumni include The Secrets She Keeps, directed by Jennifer Leacey and Catherine Millar (Best Telefeature or Miniseries); Black Comedy (Best Comedy Series), co-directed by Steven McGregor, and The Other Guy (Best Comedy Series) directed by Kacie Anning (Graduate Diploma in Directing (Fiction & Non-Fiction), 2011). Koko: A Red Dog Story (Best Indie Film) co-produced by Isabel Perez (Master of Arts (Film and Television) Producing, 1999), Brazen Hussies (Best Documentary) executive produced by Sue Maslin, Firestarter – The Story of Bangarra (Best Documentary) directed by Wayne Blair (Andrew Myer Fellowship, 2007), Halal Gurls (Best Online Drama of Comedy) lensed by Emma Paine (Graduate Diploma in Cinematography, 2010) with script editing by Greg Waters (Master of Arts (Film and Television) Screenwriting, 2002), KGB (Best Online Drama Or Comedy), co-produced by Kelrick Martin (Master of Arts (Film and Television) Documentary, 2002) and with script consultation by Irma Woods (Advanced Diploma in Script Editing and Development, 2018) and The Moogai featuring sound design by Sam Petty (Extension, 1991) and production design by Bethany Ryan (Graduate Diploma in Production Design, 2012).
This year’s AACTA Award winners will be announced across two events. The AACTA Industry Awards will be presented online on Friday 27 November as part of AACTA’s new ScreenFest event, while the usual ceremony at The Star Sydney will be held on Monday 30 November over two sittings with a reduced capacity and adhering to a COVID-Safe plan. Highlights from both ceremonies will be broadcast on Wednesday 2 December.
See the full list of first-round nominations here.
ALUMNI NOMINATED AT THE 2020 AACTA AWARDS
TELEVISION
BEST DRAMA SERIES
The Heights
Co-creator: Warren Clarke (Graduate Diploma in Screenwriting, 2012),
Executive producer: Debbie Lee (Specialist Extension Certificate Sound, 1990)
(Director (10 episodes): Karl Zwicky – Diploma Cinematography, 1991; director (2 episodes): Darlene Johnson – Master of Arts Honours: Film, Television and Digital Media in Writing & Directing, 2006; Graduate Diploma (Film & Television) in Directing, 1997)
Mystery Road
Producer: Greer Simpkin (Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Creative Industries), 2010)
(Directors: Warwick Thornton – Bachelor of Arts (Film & Television) Cinematography, 1995, Wayne Blair – Andrew Myer Fellowship, 2007)
Wentworth
Executive producer: Jo Porter (Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Creative Industries), 2008)
(Director (2 episodes): Beck Cole – Master of Arts (Film & Television) Documentary, 2001)
AACTA AWARD FOR BEST TELEFEATURE OR MINISERIES
Hungry Ghosts
Executive producer: Debbie Lee (Specialist Extension Certificate Sound, 1990)
(Director: Shawn Seet (AFTRS Certificate, 1992))
Operation Buffalo
Writer/director/producer: Peter Duncan (Bachelor of Arts (Film & Television) Scriptwriting, 1993)
The Secrets She Keeps
(Directors: Jennifer Leacey and Catherine Millar)
Stateless
Producer: Sheila Jayadev (Graduate Certificate: Producing, 2011)
(Co-director: Jocelyn Moorhouse – Diploma Directing, 1983)
AACTA AWARD FOR BEST COMEDY SERIES
Black Comedy
Director (6 episodes): Steven McGregor (Master of Arts (Film & Television) Directing, 2001)
The Other Guy
Director: Kacie Anning (Graduate Diploma in Directing (Fiction & Non-Fiction), 2011)
AACTA AWARD FOR BEST CHILDREN’S PROGRAM
Are You Tougher Than Your Ancestors?
Creator/producer/writer: Vanna Morosini (Advanced Diploma in Screenwriting: Series Television, 2016)
First Day
Writer/director: Julie Kalceff (Master of Arts (Film and Television) Scriptwriting, 2002)
Little J & Big Cuz
Director: Tony Thorne (Master of Arts (Film & Television) Digital Media, 1997)
Co-producer: Alicia Rackett (Graduate Diploma: Screen Business, 2010)
Mustangs FC
Co-creator/producer: Amanda Higgs (AFTRS Certificate, 1990)
Executive producer: Debbie Lee (Specialist Extension Certificate Sound, 1990)
(Director (3 episodes): Beck Cole (Master of Arts (Film & Television) Documentary, 2001)
FEATURE FILM
AACTA AWARD FOR BEST FILM PRESENTED BY FOXTEL
Babyteeth
Producer: Alex White (Graduate Certificate in Producing, 2011)
(Dir: Shannon Murphy – Graduate Diploma in Directing, 2013)
H is for Happiness
Writer: Lisa Hoppe (Master of Screen Arts, 2012; Graduate Diploma in Producing and Screen Business, 2011)
I Am Woman
Director/Producer: Unjoo Moon (Bachelor of Arts: Film and Television Producing, 1991)
Cinematographer: Dion Beebe (Bachelor of Arts (Film and Television) Cinematography, 1989)
The Invisible Man
Editor: Andy Canny (Master of Arts (Film and Television) Editing, 2000)
Production design: Alex Holmes (Master of Arts (Film and Television) Production Design, 2003)
AACTA AWARD FOR BEST INDIE FILM
Hot Mess
Writer/director: Lucy Coleman (Graduate Certificate in Screenwriting Fundamentals, 2014)
Producers: Sheila Jayadev (Graduate Certificate in Screenwriting Fundamentals, 2014), Lyn Norfor (Graduate Diploma: Screen Business, 2010)
Koko: A Red Dog Story
Co-producer: Isabel Perez (Master of Arts (Film and Television) Producing, 1999)
A Lion Returns
Director: Serhat Caradee (Graduate Diploma of Arts (Film & Television) Directing, 1999)
Standing up for Sunny
Executive Producer: Michael Pontin (Graduate Diploma in Producing & Screen Business, 2011)
Unsound
Director: Ian Watson (Graduate Certificate Screen: Creative Producing, 2018)
Producer: Tsu Shan Chambers (Graduate Certificate Screen: Creative Producing, 2018)
AACTA AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTION
Babyteeth
Director: Shannon Murphy (Graduate Certificate in Directing, 2013)
AACTA AWARD FOR BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Babyteeth – Andrew Commis (Master of Arts (Film & Television) Cinematography, 1998)
H is for Happiness – Bonnie Elliott (Master of Arts: Film, Television and Digital Media Cinematography, 2006)
AACTA AWARD FOR BEST EDITING
The Invisible Man – Andy Canny (Master of Arts (Film & Television) Editing, 2000)
Undertow – Julie-Anne De Ruvo (Master of Arts (Film & Television) Editing, 2001), Nick Meyers (Specialist Extension Certificate Editing, 1991)
AACTA AWARD FOR BEST SOUND
I Am Woman – Co-supervising sound editor: Tara Webb (Graduate Diploma in Sound, 2011)
AACTA AWARD FOR BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Babyteeth – Amanda Brown (Graduate Certificate in Screen Composition, 1999)
AACTA AWARD FOR BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Babyteeth – Sherree Philips (Graduate Diploma in Production Design, 2012)
The Invisible Man – Alex Holmes (Master of Arts (Film and Television) Production Design, 2003)
AACTA AWARD FOR BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Measure for Measure – Olivia Simpson (Graduate Certificate in Costume Design, 2013)
DOCUMENTARY
AACTA AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY
Brazen Hussies
Executive producer: Sue Maslin
Brock: Over the Top
Director: Kriv Stenders (Bachelor of Arts (Film & television) Camera, 1988)
Looky Looky Here Comes Cooky
Director: Steven McGregor (Master of Arts (Film & Television) Directing, 2001)
Anna Grieve (Bachelor of Arts (Film & Television) Production Management, 1985)
Firestarter – The Story of Bangarra
Director: Wayne Blair (Andrew Myer Fellowship, 2007)
Slim & I
Director/writer: Kriv Stenders (Bachelor of Arts (Film & television) Camera, 1988)
Producer: Aline Jacques (Master of Arts (Film & Television) producing, 1998)
SHORT FORM AND ONLINE
AACTA AWARD FOR BEST ONLINE DRAMA OR COMEDY
Ding Dong I’m Gay
Director/producer: Joshua Longhurst (Advanced Diploma in Producing: Story, Audience, Finance, 2016)
Creator/writer/producer: Tim Spencer (Graduate Certificate in Screenwriting Fundamentals, 2014)
Girl, Interpreted
Director/writer: Grace Feng Fang Juan (Talent Camp, 2017/18)
Producer: Nikki Tran (Talent Camp, 2017/18)
Halal Gurls
Cinematographer: Emma Paine (Graduate Diploma in Cinematography, 2010)
Script editor: Greg Waters (Master of Arts (Film and Television) Screenwriting, 2002)
KGB
Co-producer: Kelrick Martin (Master of Arts (Film and Television) Documentary, 2002)
Script consultant: Irma Woods (Advanced Diploma in Script Editing and Development, 2018)
Patricia Moore
Director/writer: Blake Fraser (Graduate Diploma in Directing (Fiction & Non-Fiction), 2011)
AACTA AWARD FOR BEST SHORT FILM
Chicken
Director/writer: Alana Hicks (Talent Camp NSW, 2017; National, 2018)
Producer: Sleena Wilson (Graduate Certificate Screen: Creative Producing, 2018)
Chlorine
Director/writer: Melissa Anastasi (Graduate Diploma in Directing, 2012; Graduate Certificate in Directing, 2011)
I Want to Make a Film About Women
Director/producer/editor: Karen Pearlman (Master of Arts (Film & Television) Editing, 2000)
Music: Caitlin Yeo (Graduate Diploma in Screen Composition, 2002)
Production design: Valentina Iastrebova (Diploma in Screen Design, 2016)
The Moogai
Director: Jon Bell
Sound designer: Sam Petty (Extension, 1991)
